Methods of sperm cell sensing utilizing an avalanche photodiode and cytometer apparatus
AssigneeABS Global, Inc.
InventorsFrederick Savage, Glenn J. Szejna, Zheng Xia
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A cytometer includes an avalanche photodiode, a switching power supply, a filter, and voltage adjustment circuitry. The switching power supply includes a feedback loop. The filter is electrically connected between the switching power supply and the avalanche photodiode. The voltage adjustment circuitry adjusts a voltage on the feedback loop based at least in part on a voltage measured between the filter and the avalanche photodiode.
Claims20
A system for sorting particles in a flow cytometry apparatus, the system comprising:
- an electromagnetic radiation source configured to emit an interrogation beam of electromagnetic radiation at a particle in an interrogation location of the flow cytometry apparatus;
- avalanche photodiode circuitry comprising at least one avalanche photodiode configured to detect an emission of electromagnetic radiation by the particle at the interrogation location, the at least one avalanche photodiode further configured to output a signal based on the detected emission;
- and
- a set of charge plates to deflect differentially charged droplets, wherein the differentially charged droplets are charged based on the output signal of the avalanche photodiode.
A method for assessing an amount of DNA within a nucleus of a sperm cell comprising:
- staining the DNA within the nucleus of the sperm cell;
- irradiating the stained DNA within the nucleus of the sperm cell;
- and
- detecting, with an avalanche photodiode, fluorescent light emitted from the irradiated and stained DNA within the nucleus of the sperm cell;
- charging differentially charged droplets with an output signal of the avalanche photodiode;
- and
- deflecting differentially charged droplets with a set of charge plates.
A method for causing the deactivation of particles in a flow cytometry apparatus, the method comprising:
- emitting an interrogation beam of electromagnetic radiation by a first electromagnetic radiation source, the interrogation beam of electromagnetic radiation directed at a particle in an interrogation location of the flow cytometry apparatus;
- detecting, by an avalanche photodiode, an emission of electromagnetic radiation by the particle at the interrogation location;
- outputting, by the avalanche photodiode, an output signal based on the detected emission of electromagnetic radiation by the particle at the interrogation location;
- and
- deflecting differentially charged droplets with a set of charge plates, wherein the differentially charged droplets are charged based on the output signal of the avalanche photodiode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.